Believers of the Khabarovsk Territory on Christmas Day, January 7, honor the Hieromartyr Leonid Serebrennikov. The priest was recently canonized as a saint in the Far East.
– It is known that father Leonid Serebrennikov was brutally tortured on December 6 after the Christmas tree party, which he held for the children of the village of Lermontovka. He, a young priest, was taken to the river, beaten, mocked and drowned. At Christmas itself we will honor his memory. Now the Khabarovsk believers have their own heavenly intercessor, says Georgy Ibragimov, rector of the “Blessed Heaven” Church of the Khabarovsk diocese.
The day before, parishioners were told how Christmas was celebrated in pre-revolutionary Khabarovsk. According to tradition, the skating rink was flooded, fairs were held, goods were hung on Christmas trees. Events were held for the children, which were paid for by patrons. One of my favorite pastimes is dog sledding.
– We tried to recreate the atmosphere of the holiday of that era. They decorated a small Christmas tree in the style of tsarist times: the branches were decorated with silver-plated and gilded nuts, firecrackers, cardboard, and cotton wool dolls. They showed gift options: porcelain dolls, a mirror, a horse, books. In preparation, we relied on archive information and photographs that have survived to this day,” explained the head of the diocese’s information department, Yulia Shutova.
Believers began preparing for Christmas back in November – the Nativity Fast begins on the 28th. It is not as strict as before Easter. Sometimes they give relief for the New Year, but it’s better to hold out for the week before Christmas.
– On Christmas Eve there are longer services, churches are decorated for Christmas, Christmas trees and nativity scenes are put up. This holiday is important for the heart, for all loved ones. He reminds us that we must become better, strive for something. We want to resume the tradition of Christmas readings with our parishioners so that we can spend family evenings together, talk about God, and simply feel supported. We invite all believers to the church for Christmas,” says Father Georgy Ibragimov.
In each parish, in honor of the holiday, there will be a Christmas tree for children, and in the City House of Culture there will be a diocesan Christmas tree.
According to tradition, on Christmas Eve, gingerbread cookies are baked and decorated in Khabarovsk churches, which are then delivered to sponsored social institutions and given to elderly parishioners so that they too can have a holiday.
Christmas services in churches will begin at 23.00 on January 6. In the main church of the Khabarovsk diocese – the Transfiguration Cathedral, the Divine Liturgy will be led by Metropolitan Artemy of Khabarovsk and Amur. For those unable to attend the service, it will be broadcast live on local television stations.
– The holiday of the Nativity of Christ gives us hope; we have someone to hope for, for the Lord is always there. The most important thing is to realize the need for a Savior and call on Him for help. Life with God is the most complete happiness, with which nothing can compare. Joy in God is the main thing that can help us overcome all the hardships and sorrows that are inevitable in earthly life. Our society and state are going through a period of severe trials today. The forces of evil are trying to divide us, bring confusion and temptation, and the whole world is engulfed in outbreaks of war and fratricide. And we need to learn not to lose heart and not allow spiritual weakness and cowardice. Let the Orthodox faith be your support and support,” Bishop Artemy addressed in his Christmas message.
Source: rg.ru
